Kenneth Munson

Kenneth George " Ken " Munson ( October 29th, 1929 - January 2nd, 2015 ) was educated at Eltham College ( London, England ). " Ken " then worked in the Air Ministry from 1945 to 1959, most importantly on the Joint Services Aircraft Recognition Journal, before turning to aviation journalism as a career.

He left the Civil Service on being informed he was to be posted to an Accounts Section ( " to gain more experience, the Civil Service said " ). He worked, initially, for Rainbird ( a publications packaging company ) but it was through his work on the Ian Allan ABC - series of softback books that many readers first came across " K.G. Munson ". A text commissioned by the company on German and Italian aircraft of WW2 was deemed unsatisfactory and incomplete. After a recommendation from John W.R. Taylor ( for whom he would later work on J.A.W.A. ), " Ken " was approached to overhaul it and bring it up to the required standard. The text was virtually re - written and published as Enemy Aircraft ( German and Italian ) of WWII by K.G. Munson in 1960.

" Ken " went on to compile more of these ABC - series, later brought together as a hardback, and was responsible for over 40 books and many more part - works on various aspects of aviation, past and present. As well as Ian Allan, " Ken " worked with Blandford Publications, Profile Publications and Putnams.

" Ken " joined the compiling team of Jane’s All The World’s Aircraft in 1968, becoming its Assistant Editor in 1973 and then Deputy Editor ( 1990 - 2014 ).

Kenneth G. " Ken " Munson passed away peacefully, at the age of 86.

Here are some of his publications : Fighters and bombers of World War II, 1939 - 1945 ( 1966 ), Fighters 1939 - 45 : Attack and Training Aircraft ( 1969 ), Airliners between the Wars, 1919 - 39 ( Blandford Colour Series, with John W. Wood, 1972 ), Combat helicopters since 1942 ( 1986 ), World unmanned aircraft ( 1988 ).

( sources : Royal Aeronautical Society, goodreads, BIBLIO. com )